Name: Fontanillis Lake
Rating: 2

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Fontanillis Lake

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California

El Dorado County

Fontanillis Lake

Recommended by 4 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Desolation Wilderness

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Location: El Dorado County, California, United States

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Best Hikes to Fontanillis Lake

5.0

(6)

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1. Fontanillis Lake loop via Eagle Falls Trail — Eldorado National Forest

18.8km

06:20

780m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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2. Fontanillis Lake – Dicks Lake loop from Meyers

20.8km

06:25

790m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Tips

Caro "Bandit"

July 21, 2022

Fontanillis Lake stretches along the PCT for quite a while with the trail following its shoreline. So enjoy the panoramic alpine scenery!

🕊️ 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓

December 7, 2016

Only 5 miles into Desolation Wilderness from the Eagle Falls trailhead at Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay, Fontanillis and Dicks lakes offer forested shorelines with secluded campsites and excellent fishing.

The two lakes are separated by only about a third of a mile. Both lakes press up against 9,374-foot Dicks Peak. Nearby are the Velma Lakes, a cluster of 3 great fishing lakes that draw the majority of campers who come up the trail from Tahoe.

Eagle Falls Trailhead to Bayview Trail Junction is about 2.7 miles.

From the Eagle Falls trailhead the hike goes up to and across a bridge and then begins a steady climb. Stop half way up to catch a view of Emerald Bay. In less than a mile, a side trail splits off to Eagle Lake. Take the Velma Lakes trail. Despite occasional dips and level spots, most of the hike is uphill, many parts of it with steps. After 2.7 miles arrive at a ridge top and an intersection with the Bayview trail.

Velma Lakes

Bayview Trail to Dicks Lake or Fontanillis Lake is 1.75 miles or 2.5 miles.

Continue toward Velma Lakes for 0.7 miles until you spot a trail sign which points you toward Dicks Lake. The trail soon climbs again with switchbacks. Look for views of Velma Lakes to the north. After a mile you strike the Pacific Crest Trail. There, turn right, heading southwest. Very soon, where the trail loops back to the north, you will spy Dicks Lake off through the trees. Follow a short side trail to the lake. By continuing north on the main hiking trail for 0.75 miles you arrive at half-mile-long Fontanillis Lake. Both make excellent places to camp.

highsierratrails.com/fontanillis_dicks_lakes/trail.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desolation_Wilderness

Chloé Perceval

January 21, 2022

This is a very typical alpine lake in Desolation Wilderness. The setting is magnificent.

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Elevation 2,520 m

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Sunday 21 September

13°C

7°C

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Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

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Location: El Dorado County, California, United States

Fontanillis Lake

1. Fontanillis Lake loop via Eagle Falls Trail — Eldorado National Forest

2. Fontanillis Lake – Dicks Lake loop from Meyers

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